Netherlands will not take part in Eurovision 2027, public broadcaster NPO says

The Netherlands will not take part in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest, Dutch public broadcaster NPO said. It cited "sensitivities" over Israel's participation.

The decision reverses an earlier commitment by NPO. NPO had stepped in after Dutch broadcaster Avrotros pulled out, and had said the Netherlands would take part.

NPO media director Jurre Bosman announced the decision on Tuesday. "We have known for some time that Israel's participation elicits various reactions in society and causes discussion and division," Bosman said in a statement, according to The Hindu. He said NPO had decided to forgo participation in 2027. The Hindu reported that the decision followed consultation with the Board of Broadcasters.

NPO chair Jet de Ranitz said it is "currently too early" to participate in 2027. NPO acknowledged that Dutch fans may be disappointed. It said the contest will still be broadcast in the Netherlands.

Martin Green said he was "deeply sorry" about the Dutch decision. He said organisers understand and respect it.

Background

The Netherlands, Iceland, Spain, Ireland and Slovenia did not take part in the 2026 contest over Israel's participation. Ireland has said it will not take part in 2027. The head of the Spanish public broadcaster has spoken in favour of a boycott. The Czech public broadcaster has also withdrawn from 2027, citing spending cuts.

According to The Hindu, Avrotros pulled out in August. It said the event could "no longer be considered neutral" given divisions over the Gaza war. NPO stepped in about a month later, The Hindu reported.

Organisers have announced they will exclude any country involved in an armed conflict from hosting. The Hindu said this was announced in August. According to the BBC, organisers have also announced voting changes to address the divisions. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not detail those changes.

The 2027 contest will take place in Burgas, Bulgaria, on 15 May 2027. Bulgaria's Dara won the 2026 contest in Vienna with "Bangaranga".

What is disputed

The BBC describes Martin Green as the Eurovision Song Contest director. The Hindu describes him as head of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises the show.

What each side says

• NPO (Bosman): Israel's participation causes discussion and division in Dutch society.
• NPO (de Ranitz): "Due to the sensitivities surrounding the themes currently at play, we have decided to take a step back for the time being," the BBC quoted her as saying. According to the BBC, she said NPO could not find a "suitable format" for participation. The reports do not describe that format.
• Organisers (Green): "At the same time, we believe the Eurovision Song Contest matters in a divided world," the BBC quoted him as saying. He said organisers look forward to a Dutch return when "the time is right".

The reports do not include any response from Israel's broadcaster, Israeli officials or the Dutch government.

Analysis

The Dutch reversal adds to a group of broadcasters stepping away from Eurovision over Israel's participation. It also shows how hard national broadcasters find it to balance domestic opinion with a contest that presents itself as unifying. Organisers have responded with hosting rules and voting changes, but the reports do not show whether these will change any decisions. Several outcomes remain possible: further withdrawals, returns by some broadcasters, or a smaller 2027 field. Much may depend on decisions not yet described in the reports, including Spain's final position and those of Iceland and Slovenia.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.